Phillip Wigle
1757 - 1815
Early Life and Historical Context
Philip Wigle (pronounced "Wih-gul") was an 18th-century German immigrant and farmer who settled in Western Pennsylvania, a region that would become the epicenter of American whiskey production. Little is known about his early life, as historical records from the period are sparse. Still, Wigle emerged as a significant figure during the late 1700s due to his involvement in the Whiskey Rebellion, a pivotal event in early American history. At the time, Western Pennsylvania was a hub for rye whiskey production, with thousands of small distilleries operating across the region. Whiskey was not only a popular beverage but also a form of currency in the frontier economy, where farmers like Wigle distilled surplus grain into spirits for trade.
In the 1790s, the newly formed United States government, under Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, imposed the first federal excise tax on whiskey to help pay off the debts incurred during the Revolutionary War. This tax was deeply unpopular among Western Pennsylvania farmers and distillers, who saw it as an unfair burden on their livelihood. The tax required payment in cash, which was scarce on the frontier, and disproportionately affected small-scale distillers like Wigle, who relied on whiskey production for economic survival.
The Whiskey Rebellion and Wigle’s Role
Philip Wigle became a central figure in the Whiskey Rebellion (1791–1794), four years of protests and riots sparked by the whiskey tax. As one of the rebellion’s earliest agitators, Wigle’s most infamous act was assaulting a federal tax collector who attempted to enforce the tax on his distillery. This bold act of defiance, which reportedly involved physically confronting the tax collector, escalated tensions and helped ignite widespread resistance among Pennsylvania distillers. Wigle’s actions symbolized the broader discontent of frontier farmers who felt marginalized by the distant federal government.
The Whiskey Rebellion culminated in 1794 when President George Washington mobilized a militia of nearly 13,000 men to suppress the uprising, marking the first significant test of federal authority in the young nation. Wigle, along with other rebel leaders, was arrested and charged with treason, a crime punishable by death. He was convicted and sentenced to hang, a fate that could have made him a martyr of the rebellion. However, in a strategic move to avoid further unrest and prevent the rebellion from escalating into a civil war, President Washington pardoned Wigle and another rebel leader, John Mitchell, in 1795. Washington’s decision reflected his recognition of the delicate balance between enforcing federal law and maintaining national unity.
Accomplishments and Legacy
While Philip Wigle’s life was not well-documented beyond his role in the Whiskey Rebellion, his actions left a lasting impact on American history and the whiskey industry. His defiance helped draw national attention to the grievances of Western Pennsylvania distillers, contributing to the eventual repeal of the whiskey tax in 1802 under President Thomas Jefferson. The rebellion also underscored the importance of whiskey to the region’s economy and culture, cementing Western Pennsylvania’s reputation as the birthplace of American whiskey, particularly Monongahela Rye, a spicy and earthy style that became the gold standard of the era.
Wigle’s legacy has been revived in modern times through Wigle Whiskey, a Pittsburgh-based craft distillery founded in 2011 by the Meyer-Grelli family. Named in his honor, the distillery celebrates Wigle’s rebellious spirit and Pennsylvania’s whiskey-making heritage. Wigle Whiskey has been instrumental in the “Pennsylvania Rye Revival,” producing award-winning rye whiskeys and other spirits using local, organic grains. The distillery’s founders also successfully lobbied for Pennsylvania House Bill 242 in 2011, which allowed craft distilleries to sell directly to consumers, echoing Wigle’s fight for distillers’ rights. The distillery has won numerous accolades, including Best in Category awards for Rye Whiskey (2015), Wheat Whiskey (2016), and Genever-style Gin (2016) from the American Craft Spirits Association, and it ranks among the top craft distilleries in the United States.
Wigle’s story is also commemorated through initiatives like the Whiskey Rebellion Trail, a tourism project supported by Wigle Whiskey that connects historical sites from Pittsburgh to George Washington’s Mount Vernon, highlighting the cultural and historical significance of the rebellion.
While no direct quotes from Philip Wigle himself are widely recorded due to the limited documentation of his life, his actions spoke louder than words. A quote often associated with the spirit of the Whiskey Rebellion and attributed to the broader movement is: “Whiskey is our currency, and we’ll defend our right to distill!” This encapsulates the defiance of Wigle and his fellow distillers, who viewed whiskey production as both an economic necessity and a symbol of their independence. While not explicitly attributed to Wigle, it reflects the sentiment that drove his resistance against the federal tax.
Modern Recognition and Impact
Philip Wigle’s name has become synonymous with Pittsburgh’s whiskey heritage. The modern Wigle Whiskey Distillery not only honors his legacy through its name but also its commitment to traditional, grain-to-glass distilling methods, using locally sourced ingredients and copper pot stills reminiscent of Wigle’s era. The distillery’s educational tours and partnerships with institutions like the Heinz History Center and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History further amplify Wigle’s historical significance.
In 2017, Wigle Whiskey co-founders Mark Meyer and Meredith Meyer Grelli published “The Whiskey Rebellion & the Rebirth of Rye: A Pittsburgh Story”, a book that explores Wigle’s role in the rebellion and the modern revival of rye whiskey, further cementing his place in American history. The distillery’s success, including its recognition as the most awarded craft whiskey distillery by the American Craft Spirits Association for multiple years, underscores the enduring relevance of Wigle’s rebellious spirit.
Enduring Spirit of Rebellion
Philip Wigle’s life, though sparsely documented, represents a defining moment in American history. His defiance during the Whiskey Rebellion highlighted the tensions between federal authority and frontier independence, leaving a legacy that resonates in Pittsburgh’s modern craft distilling scene. Through Wigle Whiskey, his name continues to inspire innovation, community engagement, and a revival of Pennsylvania’s whiskey-making tradition. His story is a testament to the enduring spirit of rebellion and resilience that shaped the early United States.